Maria Charbonneau
EDC 102H – Game of School Response
Focus questions:
What are the key indicators that the Game of School is being played?
How does the GOS influence your own view of school and learning?
What role do you think the GOS play in efforts to improve schools?
Like an insidious snake, the “Game of School” mentality manages to find its way into every school system in America, I would argue. It is a poisonous mindset; “to get along, get by, and get out” is far from the right perspective teachers and students alike should have regarding learning in a school setting. It is idealistic, perhaps too idealistic, to hope that students and teachers can maintain the motivation to acquire and give knowledge for its own sake. It takes remarkable vision and determination to uphold the ideal. Every student has at one point or another mentally pushed himself/herself by saying, “Just one more class to get through” or “one more semester to finish.” It is unrealistic to think that students will no longer feel this way if teaching styles were to change or if the administration changed its policies for certain classes or requirements. However, that feeling of “make it through, make it through, make it through” can be minimized if changes are adopted. That, I believe, should be the main focus for teachers and students. Changes may come in the form of actual adjustments to teaching styles or to requirements. And in the case for both the student and the teacher, both should be aware of the insidiousness of the mentality of the Game of School and do his/her utmost to stave off the poison.
EDC 102H – Game of School Response
Focus questions:
What are the key indicators that the Game of School is being played?
How does the GOS influence your own view of school and learning?
What role do you think the GOS play in efforts to improve schools?
Like an insidious snake, the “Game of School” mentality manages to find its way into every school system in America, I would argue. It is a poisonous mindset; “to get along, get by, and get out” is far from the right perspective teachers and students alike should have regarding learning in a school setting. It is idealistic, perhaps too idealistic, to hope that students and teachers can maintain the motivation to acquire and give knowledge for its own sake. It takes remarkable vision and determination to uphold the ideal. Every student has at one point or another mentally pushed himself/herself by saying, “Just one more class to get through” or “one more semester to finish.” It is unrealistic to think that students will no longer feel this way if teaching styles were to change or if the administration changed its policies for certain classes or requirements. However, that feeling of “make it through, make it through, make it through” can be minimized if changes are adopted. That, I believe, should be the main focus for teachers and students. Changes may come in the form of actual adjustments to teaching styles or to requirements. And in the case for both the student and the teacher, both should be aware of the insidiousness of the mentality of the Game of School and do his/her utmost to stave off the poison.